Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Grapefruit curd is delicious, easy to make, and a wonderful way to use up citrus. Learn how to make and use this homemade grapefruit curd recipe and use it for tarts, pavlova, cakes, and other desserts!

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (1)

Citrus Curd to Brighten Winter Days

It’s winter time, and you know what that means. It’s citrus season!

We are lucky enough to have friends and family in the southern part of the country who send us homegrown citrus during the winter, which is always an exciting package to get!

Bright, fresh citrus can really make a dreary winter day more bearable.

Recently we got a bunch of super juicy grapefruits, and while I’m perfectly happy eating a half of one every day with my breakfast, I wanted to do something a little different with them this time.

After looking up a bunch of different recipes, I settled on grapefruit curd!

If you didn’t know already, a fruit curd is a spread that you would use in a similar way as jelly or jam. It is most often made with citrus as the fruit component, and also contains sugar, egg yolks and butter.

It is creamy and delicious, sweet yet tart. I absolutely love it! The best part is that it’s fairly simple to make.

You can also make this recipe with any type of citrus juice, it doesn’t have to be grapefruit. Lemon curd is probably the most common version.

Related: 12 Ways to Preserve Citrus: Drying, Canning, Fementing and more!

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (2)

Grapefruit Curd Recipe

Here I’ll show you how to make grapefruit curd, which is made just like lemon curd, but with grapefruit instead.

This recipe is adapted from 101 Cookbook’s Ginger Grapefruit Curd Recipe. I left the ginger out of this one, but feel free to add it if you’d like!

The day you’re going to make this curd, try to remember to pull the butter and eggs out of the fridge to let sit at room temp for a few hours. It’s not essential, but it will make everything blend a little better.

Zest and Juice the Grapefruit

The first step is to zest the grapefruit. A Microplane makes the job so much easier. I don’t know what I ever did without mine!

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (3)

Then juice the grapefruits, enough to make 1 cup of juice. Mine were really juicy so I only needed to use two.

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (4)

Make the Grapefruit Curd

Simmer the grapefruit juice down to ½ cup.

If you don’t have time for this step it is ok to skip it and and just start with 1/2 cup of juice from the beginning, but I think doing it makes for a much more flavorful curd.

Cream together the butter and sugar in a metal bowl. You will be making a double boiler with this bowl, so use one that will fit on top of a saucepan.

Add in the egg yolks and eggs, one at a time, stirring to combine each one. A whisk helps.

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (5)

Stir in the grapefruit zest and pinch of salt, and slowly add in the grapefruit juice and lemon juice, stirring as you go.

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (6)

Heat the Grapefruit Curd in a Double Boiler

Put a couple of inches of water into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Place your metal bowl on top of the saucepan for a makeshift double boiler.

Stir the curd constantly, as you don’t want the eggs to scramble.

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (7)

After about ten minutes, the curd should start to thicken up. Once it’s thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, it’s done. It will thicken even more as it cools.

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (8)

Jar the Grapefruit Curd

Pour into a pint jar, or two half pints, and refrigerate. It will keep for about two weeks in the fridge.

Now you have lovely grapefruit curd!

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (9)

This is such a treat to have. It makes a great gift, as well!

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (10)

This grapefruit curd has such an amazing grapefruit flavor!

If you are a big fan of grapefruit you will love this, I promise.

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (11)

I’ve been eating it on sourdough toast every morning… sometimes even twice a day. It’s that good!

It’s also delicious slathered on a scone or biscuit. The perfect treat!

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (12)

This is a great way to use up any excess citrus you might have. Lime would be wonderful, as would Meyer lemon or orange.

Citrus curd is so simple to make and so tasty!

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (13)

It doesn’t take much time to make, and it will make you feel a little more fancy when you eat it.

Time to have a tea party with scones and grapefruit curd!

More Citrus Recipes

Love citrus fruit? Then you’ll love these zesty recipes!

  • Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies
  • Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
  • Rosemary Champagne co*cktail with Blood Orange

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (14)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

4.89 from 9 votes

Grapefruit Curd

Grapefruit curd is delicious, easy to make, and a wonderful way to use up citrus. Learn how to make and use this homemade grapefruit curd recipe and use it for tarts, pavlova, cakes, and other desserts!

Course Condiment

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Chilling Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 12 servings

Calories 94kcal

Author Colleen @ Grow Forage Cook Ferment

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 1 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
  • 2 Tbsp fresh grapefruit zest
  • 5 Tbsp softened butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 egg yolks at room temperature
  • 2 eggs at room temperature
  • pinch salt
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  • Zest the grapefruit using a microplane, then juice the grapefruits until you have one cup of juice.

  • Simmer the grapefruit juice over medium heat until reduced by half.

  • Cream the butter and sugar in a metal bowl. Add in the egg yolks and eggs one at a time, whisking after each one.

  • Stir in the zest and pinch of salt, then slowly add in the grapefruit juice and lemon juice, stirring as you go.

  • Fill a saucepan with a few inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Place the metal bowl on top of the saucepan for a makeshift double boiler. Stir the curd constantly so it doesn't curdle.

  • Continue to heat the curd and stir frequently for about ten minutes. It should thicken as it cooks.

  • Once it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, it's done. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Pour into a pint jar and refrigerate.It will keep for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

  • You may substitute lemons, limes, or oranges for the grapefruit.
  • The day you’re going to make this curd, try to remember to pull the butter and eggs out of the fridge to let sit at room temp for a few hours.
  • This recipe is adapted from 101 Cookbook’s Ginger Grapefruit Curd Recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 94kcal

Grapefruit Curd: Homemade Citrus Curd Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes grapefruit taste better? ›

For a warmer wintertime breakfast, try halving your grapefruit and putting it under the broiler for 4-6 minutes. The heat caramelizes the flesh and brings out the fruit's natural sugars. Pairing with bitter greens such as radicchio or dandelion greens can also bring out more natural sweetness in the grapefruit.

What can I add to grapefruit juice to make it taste better? ›

Some of the ingredients in your pantry like honey, yogurt and even salt help turn this citrus from sour to sweet. This way, you can bask in its bright flavor without the tartness being overwhelming.

Why is my lemon curd not thickening? ›

Why is my lemon curd not thickening? Make sure to cook the curd until thickened and bubbling. Stir it frequently with a rubber spatula or whisk to make sure it doesn't get lumpy. Once it's cooked, add cold butter and stir until it melts and becomes smooth.

When making a citrus curd Why is a double saucepan used? ›

I strongly recommend cooking the lemon curd in a double boiler because mixing these ingredients over direct heat quickly leads to burning.

What should be avoided when eating a grapefruit? ›

Here are examples of some types of drugs that grapefruit juice can cause problems (interact) with:
  1. Some statin drugs to lower cholesterol, such as Zocor (simvastatin) and Lipitor (atorvastatin).
  2. Some drugs that treat high blood pressure, such as Procardia and Adalat CC (both nifedipine).
Jul 1, 2021

What to avoid when eating grapefruit? ›

Medicines affected by grapefruit
  • Statins. Statins are medicines that lower your cholesterol. ...
  • Calcium channel blockers. ...
  • Anticoagulants. ...
  • Antiplatelet medicines. ...
  • Ciclosporin and immunosuppressants. ...
  • Entocort. ...
  • Cytotoxic medicines. ...
  • Other medicines.

What flavor mixes well with grapefruit? ›

Grapefruit: Pairs well with banana, basil, black pepper, caramel, coconut, ginger, lemon, lime, melon, mint, papaya, pineapple, pomegranate, raspberry, rosemary, strawberry, thyme, tropical fruits, and vanilla.

What mixes well with grapefruit juice? ›

Grapefruit also matches beautifully with Aperol, Campari, and some bitter Italian amari, as well as almost all spirits, proving that it might actually be the most versatile citrus fruit out there. These dozen drinks will prove it.

Is grapefruit good for your liver? ›

Grapefruit

Grapefruit contains two primary antioxidants: naringin and naringenin. These may help protect the liver from injury by reducing inflammation and protecting the liver cells. A 2019 study suggests that naringin may protect against alcohol-induced liver steatosis by reducing oxidative stress.

Why does my lemon curd taste weird? ›

A metallic aftertaste is usually the consequence of the lemon curd coming into contact with a metal (especially while it's hot). This could be a metal whisk, a metal bowl, a metal (or metal-coated) saucepan, or a metal sieve.

How do you fix lemon curd that didn't set? ›

If your cooled curd is not thick enough, you can reheat it to thicken. Put it over a low heat, stirring constantly. Ensure it coats the back of a spoon before taking it off the heat.

How do you know when lemon curd is done? ›

Thickening: Lemon curd will start to thicken as it cooks. To check for thickness, dip a spoon into the mixture and run your finger across the back. If the line remains distinct, the curd is thick enough. Coating the back of a spoon: If the lemon curd coats the back of a spoon and doesn't run off, it's done.

What are the two things required to make curd? ›

To make curd two things are required that are milk and a starter which contains bacteria namely as lactobacillus which helps to convert milk into curd.

Why is my curd not setting? ›

Usually the temperature of milk determines how well your curd will set. Too cold or too hot temperature can make the curd setting process tougher. Firstly boil your milk properly and switch off the flame. Once the boiled milk cools down to 20 per cent, then the milk is ready to be set.

Which container is good for making curd? ›

For centuries, earthen pots have been the preferred choice for setting curd due to their unique properties and ability to create the perfect environment for fermentation. This traditional practice, dating back to ancient times, continues to be favoured by many for its distinct advantages.

How do you make grapefruit enjoyable? ›

Grapefruit shines in dishes both sweet and savory. Enjoy its bright complexity raw in salads, smoothies, and sorbet, or try broiling or baking grapefruit with fish or meat. Don't overlook the potential of grapefruit in desserts, and do not miss its punch in co*cktails and spritzes.

What is the best way to enjoy grapefruit? ›

Cut your grapefruit in half and place on a baking sheet, flesh side up. Optional: Cut along each section to separate the fruit from the membrane. This will make it easier to scoop it out after you're done. For young assistants: Lightly sprinkle the top of each half with cinnamon.

How do you make grapefruit juice more palatable? ›

Adding salt to grapefruit juice is a personal preference and is thought to help balance the bitterness and tartness of the juice. Some people find that a pinch of salt enhances the natural sweetness of the juice and makes it more palatable.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Neely Ledner

Last Updated:

Views: 5478

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Neely Ledner

Birthday: 1998-06-09

Address: 443 Barrows Terrace, New Jodyberg, CO 57462-5329

Phone: +2433516856029

Job: Central Legal Facilitator

Hobby: Backpacking, Jogging, Magic, Driving, Macrame, Embroidery, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Neely Ledner, I am a bright, determined, beautiful, adventurous, adventurous, spotless, calm person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.